Chapter One

Ashley’s fingers trembled as she dialed her husband’s number for the third time. The baby in her arms let out another weak, pitiful cry, his tiny body burning up against her chest.

“Come on, Alex, pick up…” she whispered, bouncing him slightly, hoping to soothe him.

The phone rang. Once. Twice. Five times.

No answer.

Her heart pounded as she redialed.

Nothing.

Tears pricked her eyes. She pressed the phone harder against her ear, willing him to answer.

The baby whined softly, his body limp in her arms, his little hands barely moving. Fear clawed at her throat.

Ashley pressed the call button again, desperation making her reckless.

Still nothing.

She wanted to scream. To throw the phone against the wall. But she didn’t have time for that. She had to get her baby to the hospital.

Her gaze darted around their tiny apartment. No car. No one to call for help. The world outside was eerily quiet, too late for pedestrians, too early for morning traffic.

She swallowed hard, pulled a thin blanket over her son, and ran.

The night air hit her like ice, but she barely noticed. Her bare feet slapped against the pavement as she sprinted down the nearly empty street, the cold biting at her skin.

Her eyes scanned frantically for a taxi, a passing car, anything.

But the road was empty.

“Please, someone…” she choked out, voice breaking.

The baby let out another weak whimper. Ashley’s chest tightened with terror.

Then blinding headlights.

She barely had time to react before a black luxury car came speeding toward her.

Her feet froze. Panic gripped her body.

The car screeched to a halt inches away from her.

Ashley’s breath hitched as she staggered backward, clutching her baby like a lifeline.

The driver’s door flew open, and a man stepped out.

Tall. Powerfully built. Dark hair slightly tousled, as if he had just run his fingers through it. His sharp, chiseled features were illuminated by the streetlights, casting deep shadows over his face. Dressed in an expensive black suit, he looked completely out of place on this deserted road.

He was breathtaking. And he was furious.

“Are you insane?” His voice was deep, commanding. “You could’ve gotten yourself killed.”

Ashley barely heard him.

“Please,” she gasped, holding up her baby. “He...he’s burning up. I need to get to the hospital.”

His gaze flickered to the child in her arms. In an instant, his entire demeanor changed.

The frustration vanished, replaced by something else, concern.

Without another word, he reached for the car door and pulled it open.

“Get in,” he ordered.

Ashley hesitated for only a second before climbing in, cradling her baby close. The man shut the door behind her before rounding the car and sliding into the driver’s seat.

The engine roared to life.

The car sped off, cutting through the night like a silent savior.

Inside, the air was thick with tension.

Ashley glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, her fingers tightening around her baby’s small form. Who was this man? And why was he helping her?

She didn’t have time to think.

Every second counted.

The drive to the hospital was swift and smooth, the man’s hands steady on the wheel. He didn’t speak, but she could feel his gaze flickering toward her every so often.

When they reached the emergency entrance, he didn’t just stop the car he got out with her.

He took long strides to the hospital doors, holding them open as she rushed inside.

“Someone help us!” Ashley called out, her voice breaking.

A nurse ran forward. “What happened?”

“He has a high fever,” Ashley choked out. “He... he’s not responding like he should.”

“Come with me.” The nurse ushered her toward a nearby doctor.

Ashley turned, her lips parting to thank the man who had helped them...

But his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, his jaw tightening.

His entire demeanor shifted again... his expression hard, unreadable.

“I have to go,” he said abruptly.

Ashley blinked. “Wait—”

But before she could say another word, he turned and walked away, his broad figure disappearing into the night.

And just like that, he was gone.

Ashley watched the mysterious man disappear through the hospital doors, his commanding presence leaving behind an odd void.

She didn’t even know his name.

But she had no time to dwell on it.

Ashley’s fingers tightened around her phone as the call went straight to voicemail, again.

Her throat burned, her breath unsteady. Where was Alex?

She dialed once more, silently praying he’d answer. But all she got was the same lifeless beep.

Her baby was burning up, fighting for his life, and Alex… he was nowhere.

The waiting area felt unbearably cold. Her body shivered, though she wasn’t sure if it was from the hospital’s air conditioning or the fear clawing at her chest.

A nurse walked past, but Ashley barely noticed. Her gaze was locked on the emergency room doors, unmoving, unblinking.

Then her phone vibrated in her lap.

Her heart jumped. Alex.

But when she glanced at the screen, her stomach dropped.

Mia.

Ashley hesitated before answering. “Mia…”

“Ash, what’s going on? You sound terrible.”

Ashley squeezed her eyes shut. “It’s my baby. He’s in the ER.”

A sharp inhale. “What? Oh my God. Is he okay? What happened?”

“He has a fever. It... it was so high, Mia. I couldn’t get a car. I had to run into the street looking for help.” Her voice broke. “I tried calling Alex. He didn’t answer.”

Silence. Then Mia’s voice turned cold. “Where is he?”

Ashley bit her lip. “I don’t know.”

Mia muttered something under her breath, but Ashley barely heard it.

“I’m coming,” Mia said quickly. “Which hospital?”

Ashley gave her the name, her voice hoarse.

“Hold on, okay? I’ll be there soon.”

The call ended, leaving Ashley alone with her thoughts.

She glanced at the ER doors again, heart pounding.

A memory surfaced, Alex’s excitement when he first found out she was pregnant. The way he held her close, whispering how much he loved her. How he promised to always be there.

Where was that man now?

Her fingers trembled as she redialed his number.

Ring.

Ring.

Voicemail.

Tears blurred her vision.

And still, she refused to believe he wouldn’t come.

He had to come.

He loved them. He had to.

Didn’t he?